WATSONVILLE -- Measure R proposes to collect $5 a month from mobile home residents to establish a fund to defend the city's rent control ordinance against legal challenges.

The measure, an amendment to the rent ordinance, also would allow mobile home residents to collect limited damages and recover lawyer's fees when park owners demand or receive rent in excess of the amount authorized under city rules.

Though all Watsonville voters can weigh in on the measure, only mobile home residents would pay the fee.

The fee would raise about $59,000 annually to fight rent control challenges.

Backer Bill Neighbors said the money is needed as park owners put pressure on residents and the city to raise rents. Mobile home residents, who typically own their homes but rent space in the park, need to protect their investment, he said.

Under the ordinance, owners are entitled to cost of living increases, but must provide a financial analysis to justify larger increases.

Neighbors cited a 2011 lawsuit filed by a park owner after the city denied an increase that would have doubled rents for some residents. An arbitrator ruled in the city's favor in the 2011 lawsuit. But homeowners worry costly litigation will weaken the city's resolve to support rent control.

The Capitola City Council repealed a similar ordinance in August 2011 after racking up nearly $1.5 million in legal costs to defend it over a decade. About a third of Capitola's costs were covered by a fee paid by residents.

Watsonville's leaders are unable to repeal the city's 1996 ordinance because voters mandated the rules. That's also why voters are being asked to decide whether to amend the ordinance now.

About 2,500 people live in Watsonville's nearly 1,000 mobile homes. Most residents are senior citizens or low-income families.

This measure would impose a $5 monthly fee on mobile home park residents to raise an estimated $59,000 annually to help cover costs of defending against excessive rent increases and litigation aimed at overturning the city's rent control ordinance. It also would enable mobile home residents to collect damages and attorney fees when park owners are shown to have charged excessive rents. The measure would be effective 10 days after Nov. 6 election results become official. It requires a simple majority to pass.